The Levels of Physical Activity and Motor Skills in Young Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Aged 2-5 Years

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  • Author(s): Ketcheson, Leah; Hauck, Janet Lynn; Ulrich, Dale
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. May 2018 22(4):414-423.
  • Publication Date:
    2018
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://sagepub.com
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      10
    • Sponsoring Agency:
      Office of Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS)
    • Contract Number:
      H325D110003
    • Subject Terms:
      Young Children; Autism; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Correlation; Physical Activity Level; Life Style; Comparative Analysis; Psychomotor Skills; Preschool Children; Children; Motor Development; Cognitive Ability; Statistical Analysis
    • Subject Terms:
      Michigan
    • Subject Terms:
      Mullen Scales of Early Learning; Peabody Developmental Motor Scales
    • Accession Number:
      10.1177/1362361316683889
    • ISSN:
      1362-3613
    • Abstract:
      Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. As such, there is an unprecedented need for research examining factors contributing to the health disparities in this population. This research suggests a relationship between the levels of physical activity and health outcomes. In fact, excessive sedentary behavior during early childhood is associated with a number of negative health outcomes. A total of 53 children participated in this study, including typically developing children (mean age = 42.5 ± 10.78 months, n = 19) and children with autism spectrum disorder (mean age = 47.42 ± 12.81 months, n = 34). The t-test results reveal that children with autism spectrum disorder spent significantly less time per day in sedentary behavior when compared to the typically developing group (t(52) = 4.57, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the results from the general linear model reveal that there is no relationship between motor skills and the levels of physical activity. The ongoing need for objective measurement of physical activity in young children with autism spectrum disorder is of critical importance as it may shed light on an often overlooked need for early community-based interventions to increase physical activity early on in development.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Number of References:
      51
    • Publication Date:
      2018
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1178784